Mitch McConnell vows not to end the filibuster for legislation

Back in 2013 Harry Reid invoked the so-called nuclear option (the Democrats at that time called in the Constitutional option) to end the filibuster on most judicial and Presidential nominations with some exceptions. Harry Reid was praised by his fellow Democrats and by the mainstream media for ending the gridlock and obstructionism in Washington. Harry Reid went so far as to say the Republicans should thank him because they would benefit if they ever got back control.

Now the Republicans are in control and there is the real possibility that they will end the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees on Friday if they have the votes to do so and the very same Democrats are not happy. Suddenly this is not an issue of ending gridlock and obstructionism but rather protecting the integrity of the Senate. If this does happen the filibuster will only remain on some Presidential appointees and on legislation.

Mitch McConnell is now vowing that he will not end the filibuster on legislation while he is in charge. Here is more:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed Tuesday that he would not eliminate the 60-vote threshold needed to end filibusters on most legislation under his leadership — even as he is preparing to invoke the controversial “nuclear option” to do just that for Supreme Court nominees later this week.

McConnell stressed that “there’s no sentiment” among Senate Republicans for overhauling the filibuster on legislation, which typically forces the Senate to compromise and get buy-in from the minority.

“Who would be the biggest beneficiary of that right now? It would be the majority, right?” McConnell told reporters. “There’s not a single senator in the majority who thinks we ought to change the legislative filibuster. Not one.”

When asked whether he would commit to not changing the legislative filibuster under his tenure as majority leader, the Kentucky Republican responded: “Correct.”

Even if Mitch McConnell holds true to this vow it is only a matter of time before a leader comes along who feels a piece of legislation is so important that it should not be filibustered and it will be ended on legislation as well–totally removing all opposition and debate on any issue.

While Mitch McConnell and the Republicans will end up taking the blame for this it should always be remembered that Harry Reid set all this in motion back in 2013. While the Republicans threatened to invoke the nuclear option when George Bush was President they never had the courage to do it but Harry Reid did have the courage and I guess for that he deserves a little bit of credit for that–he put his money where his mouth was. However, if the mainstream media is going to be consistent (I know!) then he deserves at least some of the blame for setting all of this in motion.

Does anyone think for one second that when the Dems get into power and a Supreme seat is up that the GOP find objection to they will end the filibuster? Say this isn’t so… so they are going to sell out to make a big deal. We lose every time.